They met last month at the NHL combine in Buffalo, N.Y., congratulating each other on becoming classmates at Boston College this fall. And then they ran into each other Saturday in Vancouver, British Columbia, congratulating each other on becoming Avalanche draft picks.
Canadian center Alex Newhook and American defenseman Drew Helleson were Colorado’s second and third picks, respectively, in the 2019 draft — Newhook at No. 16 and Helleson at No. 47. Avs director of scouting Alan Hepple said it was pure coincidence that both high-profile prospects are BC-bound, but it makes things easier having both in the same college program.